It’s a Park Life in Kabul

Kabul Municipality and Kabul City Initiative (KCI) Inaugurated four world class public parks

USAID's KCI

Kabul Municipality and Kabul City Initiative (KCI) Inaugurated four world class public parks between November 2012 and January 2013. All four parks are equipped with safe, colorful playground equipment.

10 FEBRUARY 2013 | KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

Despite cloudy skies and chilly weather, crowds of excited children rushed to use Kabul’s newly inaugurated Shirino Park. The park features a playground with brightly colored slides, swings, and other equipment that drew animated chatter from the children and praise from community members attending the opening ceremony.

Parks have been shown to revitalize neighborhoods, increase economic development, and improve public health. These benefits, and more, are why an adequate system of parks is fundamental to Kabul’s healthy development.

A partnership between Kabul Municipality and the USAID-funded Kabul City Initiative is rehabilitating or constructing 10 neighborhood parks, complete with sports courts, irrigation systems, security fencing, gazebos, bathrooms, lighting, guard/concession buildings, and playground equipment. In addition to Shirino Park, Kabul Municipality and Kabul City Initiative recently opened three more parks and will inaugurate the remaining six in 2013.

Kabul Municipality carefully planned the neighborhood parks, targeting locations that are particularly accessible for women and families. These parks provide much-needed green space, as well as play areas for young children. The first-rate playground equipment, constructed of recycled plastic, includes slides, swings, spinners, monkey bars, and other equipment never before seen in Afghanistan.

The Kabul City Initiative also provided Greenery Department staff with training on park maintenance and landscaping techniques. As a result, dozens of other parks throughout the city can now be improved.

USAID works with Kabul Municipality to build public support through improved delivery of city services.